By Elliot Ball

The Denmark defender is excited at the prospect of linking up with international team-mate Poulsen, who is edging nearer to a switch to the Merseyside giants.

The Juventus midfielder has been given permission to withdraw from Denmark's friendly against Germany, so he can tie up a three-year deal at Anfield and work under Reds boss Roy Hodgson, who first signed the player for FC Copenhagen in 2000.

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And after winning championships in his homeland and in Italy, as well as lifting the Uefa Cup with Sevilla, Agger believes the 30-year-old has all the characteristics to be a success at Liverpool.

Top signing

"Christian would be a perfect addition to most of the big clubs in Europe, so he will certainly fit in here," Agger told the Liverpool Echo.

"He is a top player and will make us stronger. We need to have big signings so we can compete and he is one of those players.

"Christian will improve the team. But we need more improvements if we want to be at the top of the league this season."

Agger, who has recovered from the back injury which kept him out of last week's Europa League victory over Rabotnicki, accepts Poulsen will need time to adapt to the speed of the Premier League after several years in the slower-paced Serie A.

However, he feels his compatriot will be the ideal replacement for Javier Mascherano, whose days at Anfield appear numbered after he asked Hodgson for a transfer.

"Maybe he will find the pace of here a bit of a culture shock; he will have to get used to the extra high tempo," added Agger, who could feature at left-back for Liverpool's league opener against Arsenal.

"He has played in Italy, Spain and Germany and done very well, so I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be a success with Liverpool.

"We have Mascherano but it looks like he is leaving so there is a gap there."